Dr. David Galbis-Reig oversees addiction services at Ascension All Saints Hospital as medical director of addiction medicine for the Racine medical center.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Galbis-Reig began providing outpatient services to his patients via telehealth. State and federal agencies temporarily eased some restrictions for providers to increase access to treatment, allowing Galbis-Reig to provide addiction consultations with patients virtually at hospitals across the state. Over the past year, he and his team saw an additional nearly 1,500 patients at Ascension St. Francis Hospital and Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital’s Elmbrook, Franklin and St. Joseph campuses.
“His skills have never been needed more as alcohol and other substance use disorders are killing Americans at epidemic proportions,” said Kristin McManmon, Ascension Wisconsin regional hospital president.
“Dr. Galbis-Reig lost more patients to addiction during the pandemic than he did his previous 15 years practicing addiction medicine. This has been undoubtedly challenging but he chooses to focus on his faith, his patients and the compassionate care he provides them,” McManmon added.
